Victoria City councillor Laurel Collins wins federal NDP nomination

A political newcomer to Victoria Council has been chosen to carry the NDP banner into the federal election in October.

Laurel Collins won the nomination for the Victoria riding at a meeting last night attended by retiring MP Murray Rankin, and Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.

Collins has been on Victoria council just 6 months, but made the decision to jump to federal politics after being approached by numerous people in the community:

" I had constituents, strangers, dear friends, colleagues, approaching me asking me to step up. And it was a really challenging decision because I love being on council. I love almost everything about it -- the consituency work, the policy work, and there's a lot to do at the municipal level. But I know that I'm leaving the council in good hands."

Besides sitting as a Victoria councillor, Collins is also an instructor in Social Justice & Social Inequality at the University of Victoria. She says she'll continue her duties on council, but take a leave of absence once the federal writ is dropped.

The federal Greens have already nominated Racelle Kooy -- a Community Engagement Specialist -- as their candidate. The Liberals and Conservatives have yet to choose their candidates.

She has very big shoes to fill. Victoria City Counselor Laurel Collins has been chosen to run in the next federal election in Murray Rankin’s Victoria riding.

Is she ready? That’s the question many are asking. Jagmeet Singh leader, federal NDP joined Mark with his thoughts.